Dame Katherine Grainger has turn out to be the primary feminine chair of the British Olympic Affiliation in its 119-year historical past.
The rowing champion mentioned it was a “big honour” to tackle the function after Workforce GB introduced her success.
Dame Katherine is the one British lady to win medals in 5 successive Olympic video games.
She’s going to now take over as chair from Hugh Robertson in early 2025, after 46 members of the Nationwide Olympic Committee voted to elect her.
Berkshire-based Dame Katherine posted a press release on social media after the information was revealed.
She mentioned: “The Olympics has been central to my life for practically 30 years.
“As an athlete I felt first-hand the unbelievable affect and affect sport has on folks’s lives.
“Throughout my time as chair of UK Sport, I’ve discovered the ability of collaboration as a part of this spectacular eco system that allows Olympic sport to flourish within the UK, and so I stay up for embarking on this subsequent chapter.”
Taking up the place as chair of the British Olympics Organisation (BOA) makes Dame Katherine the primary lady within the function since its institution in 1905.
A press release from Workforce GB described the athlete as a “extremely revered determine in sport”.
After retiring from her 20-year rowing profession, Dame Katherine was appointed as chair of UK Sport, the place she has labored to create a brand new route for Olympic and Paralympic sport.
She’s going to now end her time period with UK Sport, earlier than transferring into her function with BOA.
Andy Anson, the CEO of the BOA, mentioned: “Katherine is an esteemed determine in high-performance sport, recognised within the British sporting group as a steadfast chief in addition to one in all our biggest ever Olympians.
“We’re wanting ahead to working along with her within the build-up to and through Milano-Cortina 2026 and Los Angeles 2028.”